Upcoming key events

On sunday, the 3rd of August 2008, 10 am onwards, there will be an Isra' Miraj forum organised by Ikhwan TAI, details are as follows:

And also from 22 to 24 august, Shaykh Hisyam Kabbani will be in town, so do keep these dates free, insyaAllah will be beneficial.

Below a CV of Shaykh Hisyam Kabbani:

Born into an eminent family of religious scholars in Beirut, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Al-Kabbani is a world-renowned Muslim scholar, author, and lecturer.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani received his Islamic Law (Shariah) Degree in Syria (Damascus). He also studied deeply the subject of Islamic spirituality under two internationally renowned Naqshbandi spiritual guides, namely, Shaykh Abdullah al-Fa’iz ad-Daghestani and Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from the American University of Beirut and also studied medicine in Lowain, Belgium.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani is Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), a non-profit religious organisation based in Washington DC. ISCA has spearheaded a number of peace initiatives, hosted notable conferences, actively engages in inter-religious dialogue, and promotes traditional and moderate Islamic views within and outside of USA. ISCA has addressed numerous world bodies such as the United Nations and continues to advise the United States Department of State on issues regarding Islam, religious tolerance and terrorism. The organisation was a key adviser in the formation of US foreign policy on Kosova, and has recently paved development and trade resources for Muslim-populated newly independent states of former Russia.

For many years Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has publicly condemned all acts of terrorism and the use of Islam to promote terrorist agendas. He has worked ardently to help people all over the world, from all walks of life, better understand the moderate, tolerant nature of traditional Islam, as practiced around the world.

In this role of spreading the message of Islam and peace, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has met with many heads of state like President George Bush, President Bill Clinton, President Bambang Yudhoyono (Indonesia), Vice-President Jusuf Kalla (Indonesia), Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi (Malaysia), President Hamid Karzai (Afghanistan), Prime Minister Recep Erdogan (Turkey) and many more.

BooksShaykh Hisham Kabbani writes extensively and has published the following notable books:

Through the Eye of the Needle. By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 204 pgs, 2008.
Symphony of Remembrance. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 188 pgs, 2007.
Universe Rising. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 284 pgs, 2007.
Illuminations: Compiled Lectures on Shariah and Tasawwuf. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 532 pgs, 2007.
The Sufi Science of Self-Realization. Fons Vitae, 252 pgs, 2006.
Pearls and Corals – Secrets of the Sufi Way. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 220 pgs, 2005.
Keys to the Divine Kingdom – Lessons in Classical Islam’s Spiritual Science. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 88 pgs, 2005.
Liberating the Soul – A Guide for Spiritual Growth (Volume 1). By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 360 pgs, 2002.
Liberating the Soul – A Guide for Spiritual Growth (Volume 2). By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 328 pgs, 2002.
Liberating the Soul – A Guide for Spiritual Growth (Volume 3). By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 208 pgs, 2005.
The Approach of Armageddon – An Islamic Perspective. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 292 pgs, 2003.
Classical Islam and the Naqshbandi Sufi Order. Islamic Supreme Council of America, 972 pgs, 2003.
Muhammad the Messenger of Allah – His Life and Prophecy. By Hajjah Amina Adil, Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 582 pgs, 2002.
Liberating the Soul – A Guide for Spiritual Growth (Vol 1 to 3). By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 2002, Vol 1 (360 pgs), Vol 2 (328 pgs), Vol 3 (190 pgs).
In the Mystic Footsteps of Saints (Vol 1 & 2). By Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani (ed). Islamic Supreme Council of America, 2002.
Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine. 7 Volumes. Kazi Publications, 1998.
Volume 1 - Beliefs. 232 pgs.
Volume 2 - Remembrance of Allah and Praising the Prophet. 225 pgs.
Volume 3 - The Prophet: Commemorations, Visitation and His Knowledge of the Unseen. 191 pgs.
Volume 4 – Intercession. 181 pgs.
Volume 5 - Self-Purification and the State of Excellence. 192 pgs.
Volume 6 - Forgotten Aspects of Islamic Worship, Part 1. 177 pgs.
Volume 7 - Forgotten Aspects of Islamic Worship, Part 2. 232 pgs.
Encyclopedia of Muhammad’s Women Companions and the Traditions They Related. By Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani and Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar. Defenders Publications, 500 pgs, 1998.
Remembrance of God Liturgy of the Sufi Naqshbandi Masters. Kazi Publications, 32 pgs, 1998.
Angels Unveiled: A Sufi Perspective. Kazi Publications, 262 pgs, 1996.
The Naqshbandi Sufi Way – History and Guidebook of the Saints of the Golden Chain. Kazi Publications, 469 pgs, 1995.
Shaykh Hisham is on the boards of a number of organisations that promote the tolerance and moderation inherent in traditional Islam:
Advisor to Sufi Muslim Council (United Kingdom)
Co-Chair, Council of Muslim Leadership
Chairman, Islamic Supreme Council of America
President, The Muslim Magazine
U.S. Leader, Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order
Chairman, As-Sunnah Foundation of America
Chairman, Kamilat Muslim women’s organization
Advisor, UnityOne - an organization devoted to ending gang violence
Advisor, Human Rights Council, U.S.A. for supporting the establishment of human rights and freedom in all nations.
Advisor, American Islamic Association of Mental Health Providers.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has also addressed students and academics at many universities like Oxford, Harvard, Columbia, UC Berkeley, UCLA, McGill, Georgetown, etc.
In his ongoing efforts to unite, educate and serve Muslims, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani founded several national organisations like the Islamic Supreme Council of America (ISCA), As-Sunnah Foundation of America (ASFA), and KAMILAT (Muslim women organisation). As founder of KAMILAT, he has brought challenges faced by women and families to the forefront of Muslim consciousness. His strong commitment to gender equality and continuous support of women’s rights to education, inclusion in politics, policymaking and all levels of community affairs, paved the way for KAMILAT to co-host the 2nd International Islamic Unity Conference ‘98 in Washington DC. “The Role of Women in Building the 21st Century” featured experts from around the world and a dozen panels on contemporary Muslim-specific issues. He is also founder and publisher of The Muslim Magazine, which was launched in 1998.
In addition to being interviewed by and reported on by almost every major daily newspaper in the USA, including an exclusive feature in Newsweek magazine, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has been featured on CNN, C-Span, A & E and the Odyssey Channel. His efforts have been lauded by the US Senate, the US Congress, the Governor of California, the California State Senate and the National Press Club.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani has spent his life spreading the teachings of peace, tolerance, respect and love, which are the message of Islam, throughout the world. He continues to disseminate the light and peace of Islam’s spiritual dimension to people of every background, ethnicity, race and belief.

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani’s mission is to spread the peaceful and beautiful Islamic teachings of the brotherhood of mankind and the Unity of belief in Allah. His efforts are directed at bringing the diverse spectrum of religions and spiritual paths into harmony and concord, in recognition of mankind’s responsibility as caretaker of this fragile planet and of one another. His arduous spiritual training of 40 years has endowed him with the sublime qualities of wisdom, light, intellect, and compassion. Shaykh Hisham Kabbani’s outreach mission is his unique contribution to the Endeavor of Humankind in reaching for its highest destiny - nearness to Allah the Almighty.

Accomplishments & Projects:

September 2006 - Keynote speaker at Journey to Ihsan - International Conference on Islamic Spirituality held in Singapore. Other international speakers include Dr Ustaz Uthman El-Muhammady (Malaysia), Shaykh Faris Abdul Maqsud (Egypt), Prof Abd al-Haqq Godlas (USA), Prof Abu Mustafa Gianotti (USA), Sis Aisha Virginia Gray (USA), Bro Aftab Malik (United Kingdom) & Ustaz Mohamed Bin Hj Ali (Singapore).
May 2006 - Keynote speaker at the International Sufi Symposium held in San Jose, California.
March 2006 - Met with staff of No 10 Downing (United Kingdom’s Prime Minister’s Office), to present his views on the situatio of Islam in the UK and Europe.
February 2006 - Met personally with U.S. Vice President Richard Cheney to present his views on the cures of Islamist radicalism.
February 2006 - Met with Ms. Fran Townshend, Assistant to the U.S. President for Homeland Security, and her deputy, Mr. Juan Zarate, to also discuss the cures for Islamist radicalism and responses to the “cartoon controversy”.
July 2005 & Jan 2006 - Held private meetings with President Susilo Bambang Yudiyono of Indonesia and Vice President Yusuf Kalla to strengthen ongoing joint projects on “Jihadi rehabilation” for Indonesian youth.
April 2005 - Met with England’s Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to discuss current situation of Islam in Europe.
March 2005 - Attended White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Leadership Conference and met with President Bush at a round table on the initiative.
January 2005 - Gave keynote speech at the International Sufi Booksellers conference in Florida on “Importance of Spirituality and Culture in Modern Life”; conducted book signing.
December 2004 - Chief guest and speaker “Global Challenges in Islam” Seminar, Singapore. Over three days spoke in three different religious forums. Met with Singapore’s Minister of Muslim Affairs, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Zainul Abidin Rasheed and officials from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS).
December 2004 - Met with Rohan Gunaratna, Head of International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (Singapore), to discuss methods for promoting traditional Islam and assisting to rehabilitate terrorists.
December 2004 - Principal keynote speaker and host, International Conference of Scholars and Activists, Jakarta, Indonesia under the theme “Islam & Civil Society in the 21st Century: A Path to Transformation” addressing the topic “Principles of Leadership in War & Peace” detailing the illegitimacy of terrorism and the prohibition of suicide as a means of combat in Islam. Addressed the Friday sermon at two of Jakarta’s largest mosques and hosted during the conference, HRH Prince Raja Muda Nazrin Azlan Shah, Pro-Chancellor, University of Malaya and Crown Prince of Malaysia’s state of Perak, Dato Hishammudin Tun Hussein, Malaysia’s Minister of Education, Dato Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Malaysia’s Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Shaykh Hazyim Muzadi, Head of Indonesia’s largest NGO, Nahdatul Ulama, US Ambassador B. Lynn Pascoe and other dignitaries at the conference.
December 2004 - Met with Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla at his home in Jakarta to discuss issues of state.
November 2004 - Guest at the White House for the President Bush Annual Ramadan Dinner.
August 2004 - Attended Sidi Shekir Conference on “Importance of Spirituality in Human Affairs,” in Marrakech, Morocco, under the patronage HRM King Mohamad VI and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
June 2004 - Keynote speaker at the northern California-based Islamic Educational and Cultural Research Center (IECRC) second annual conference.
June 2004 - Met with His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan and presented him with an invitation to Islamic leaders’ conference, Indonesia, winter 2004.
May 2004 - Keynote speaker at Universal Muslim Association of America in Washington, DC. Topic: “Extremism is inconsistent with Islam.”
May 2004 - Keynote speaker at Islamic Studies and Research of Association in Columbia, SC. Topic: “Classical Islam: religion of mercy.”
May 2004 - Keynote speaker at international religious conference in Indonesia. Met with Indonesia’s vice presidential candidates. In Malaysia met with Minister of Education His Excellency Tun Hishamuddin Hussein and with Crown Prince of Perak, HRH Raja Muda bin Azlan Shah.
April 2004 - Keynote speaker at conference, “Beyond Radical Islam?” held by LeFrak Forum and Symposium on Science, Reason, and Modern Democracy at Michigan State University and the Ethics and Public Policy Center of Washington, DC.
February 2004 - Led an international delegation to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. In Thailand presented a paper at the Thailand Leadership Forum, toured Buddhist shrines and met religious leaders; Performed Celebration of Remembrance with 140,000 students in Indonesia’s Istiqlal Mosque; met privately with Malaysian Prime Minister His Excellency Dato Seri Abdallah Badawi.
January 2004 - Met with His Excellency Recep Tayyib Erdogan Prime Minister of Turkey to discuss building interfaith dialogue between US academics and scholars and their Turkish counterparts.
January 2004 - Keynote speech to annual board meeting of the American Foreign Policy Council.
December 2003 - Represented US Muslims at 3-day interfaith conference of international religious leaders held in Spain.
October 2003 - Joined President George W. Bush for Iftar at the White House. Gave the keynote address at the Nixon Center conference on Sufism and US Policy.
July and October 2003 Led two international delegation to Indonesia and Malaysia to meet with government and religious leaders as part of a campaign against religious extremism; addressed more than 100,000 Muslims in Indonesia’s Mosque Istiklal, calling for religious tolerance, and opened a new institute dedicated to teaching classical Islam.
May 2003 - Spoke at Conference on Islam and America, sponsored by the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, DC.
May 2003 - Addressed conference of federal prison chaplains sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons in Ann Arbor, Michigan; warned of danger posed by extremists within federal corrections system.
January-February 2003 - Traveled across the U.S. to convene grassroots coalition meetings and community watch groups to prevent the rise of religious extremism and to promote traditional Islam.
November 2002 - Met with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell, respectively, at White House and State Department events for Ramadan.
September 2002 - Met with President George W. Bush for his official Proclamation of the Days of Remembrance and Prayers September 6-9, 2002.
August 2002 - Invited as a guest of the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, to visit the republic and explore issues of religious educational development.
July 2002 - Presented a paper entitled “Understanding Sharia” at the Freedom House conference in Washington, DC, as well as a paper on “Islam and Democracy” for the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
March 2002 - Met with Asst. Secretary of Defense, Mr. Paul Wolfowitz and his staff to introduce the activities of ISCA and its promotion of moderate Islam throughout the world.
March 2002 Guest speaker at the American Society for Industrial Security on the topic of “Traditional Islam in the U.S.”
February 2002 - Signed Memorandum of Understanding with State Minister of Indonesia on the building of civil society infrastructure and the promotion of traditional Islam.
February 2002 - Met with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and Minister of Youth for Malaysia to discuss issues facing the Muslim world after 9-11.
September 2001 - Advised numerous government agencies on issues of national security as it relates to radical religious insurgents, both domestically and abroad.
May 2001 - Led the ISCA Asian Tour to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Japan.
April 2001 - Led a hundred-member delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan as a guest of the President of Uzbekistan.
January 2001 - Guest of Honor, Annual Meeting of the National Committee of American Foreign Policy.
October 2000 - Met with various ministers and the President of Indonesia.
September 2000 Delegate to the UNESCO conference on inter-religious dialogue in Uzbekistan.
August 2000 - Met with His Excellency President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan.
April 2000 - Keynote speaker at Central Asia–Caucasus Institute (CACI) of Johns Hopkins University conference on The Emergence of Religious Extremism in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
March 2000 - Met with His Excellency President Denktash and the foreign minister of Cyprus.
January 2000 - Met with U.S. President Bill Clinton at a White House event in honor of Ramadan.
November 1999 - Joined U.S. Congressional representatives in generating nationwide support for an official stamp recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
February 1, 1999 - Appointed representative of the Muslim faith for Vice President Al Gore’s conference on “Corruption in Government,” February, 1999.
January 7, 1999 - Keynote speaker at “Islamic Extremism” Open Forum at the U.S. Department of State.
January 6, 1999 - Keynote Speaker at forum on “The Evolution of Wahhabism” at Johns Hopkins University, Central Asia – Caucasus Institute.
August 7 – 9, 1998 - Chaired the 2nd International Islamic Unity Conference in Washington, DC.

Haul Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris

Rajab is the month of the passing of Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris (q), Sidi passed away on the 21st of Rajab.





May Allah sanctify his secrets and showere limitless blessings upon Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris, amin!





here is a brief history about Sidi from wikipedia, more or less in line with his biography that i've read in the enigmatic saint:





The Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idrīs Al-Fāsī was a Muslim saint and founder of the Ahmadiyyah Idrīsiyyah Sufi order. He was born in a suburb of Fez, Morocco (Al-Maghrib) in 1163 AH and died in 1253 AH in Sabya, which was then in Yemen but is today part of Saudi Arabia. He was noted for his deep scholarly knowledge and high spiritual station, and was credited with many miracles (karāmāt). He was also noted for his reform work in Islam and Sufism.



Al-Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idrīs Al-Fāsī travelled extensively in North Africa, Egypt and Yemen. Due to opposition from the jealous exoteric scholars, he had to migrate from Makkah Al-Mukarramah in 1244 AH to Yemen.



After the death of Al-Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idrīs Al-Fāsī, the Ahmadiyyah Idrīsiyyah Sufi order split into many orders. The most important of these were Al-Tarīqah Al-Sanūsiyyah, founded by Al-Sayyid Muhammad ibn 'Alī Al-Sanūsī and Al-Tarīqah Al-Khatmiyyah, founded by Al-Sayyid Muhammad ibn 'Uthmān Al-Mīrghanī. Al-Sayyid 'Abd Al-'Āl, son of Al-Sayyid Ahmad ibn Idrīs Al-Fāsī, founded Al-Tarīqah Al-Idrīsiyyah, which today is a very popular Sufi order in Sudan.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmad_ibn_Idris





for more on the biography of Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris and his students, please visit Warisan Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris and At-tariqah Ahmadiah Idrisiah links on the right column.





Tariqah Ahmadiah Idrisiah (TAI) has a very central place in the Malay Archipelago, and suffice to say, it has more or less been subsumed into the malay culture of those who follow it. Its influence in Malaysia is so substantial to the extent that on Hari Merdeka (Malaysian Independence Day), Tengku Abdur Rahman invited the then Mufti of Negeri Sembilan, Sidi Shaykh Ahmad Bin Sidi Shaykh Muhammad Sa'id Al-Linggi, the Mursyid of the Tariqah, to recite prayers for the prosperity and progress of the federal republic of Malaysia.





Selepas pengisytiharan itu Tunku Abdul Rahman telah meneriakkan "MERDEKA" sebanyak tujuh kali dan telah disambut berselangseli oleh orang ramai dengan penuh semangat. Upacara itu diakhiri dengan bacaan doa selamat oleh Tuan Mufti Negeri Sembilan, Tuan Haji Ahmad bin Mohammad Said. Lagu Negaraku telah dimainkan dan perbarisan kehormatan askar Melayu Diraja telah memberikan tabik hormat kepada Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong untuk berangkat pulang. Seluruh upacara ini, yang telah berlangsung dalam masa 40 minit telah diketuai oleh Datuk Maharajalela, Datuk Nik Mustapha Fadzil.


http://hids.arkib.gov.my/doc/jilidiii/september/16_09_1963_1980.htm





One of the reasons why TAI is so Malay in this region is that the late Sidi Muhammad Said was sent to the Johore-Riau-Lingga Sultanate to spread the teachings of Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris, hence the title Al-Linggi, also named after an area in N9. Sidi Muhammad Said came to the Malay Peninsula in about the same time as Habib Nuh al Habsyi of Singapore. Accounts said they were close friends. Shouldn't be such a sursprise since in the main prayer hall of Masjid Muhd Salleh Maqam Habib Nuh one finds hung onto the wall, At-Tahil of Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris.

In Singapore, the Khalifah for TAI is Al-Fadhil Ust Hasbi Bin Hassan:

taken from ahmadiah-idrisiah.com

annaLlaha yu'lii darajaatihim fil jannah, wa yanfa'unaa bi him, wa bi 'uluumihim, wa bi anwaarihim, wa bi asraarihim, amin!

OLD TESTAMENT COMMANDMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS THAT ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THOSE IN THE QUR’AN

Lying Is Prohibited
"...Do not lie..." “Do not swear falsely by My name.” (Leviticus, 19:11-12)
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Exodus, 20:16, Deuteronomy, 5:20)
Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. (Exodus, 23:7)
Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd...(Exodus, 23:1-2)
...if he finds lost property and lies about it, or if he swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that people may do . . . he thus sins and becomes guilty... (Leviticus, 6:3-4)
The remnant…will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down and no one will make them afraid. (Zephaniah, 3:13)

Theft Is Prohibited
You shall not steal. (Exodus, 20:15, Deuteronomy, 5:19)
“Do not steal.” “Do not lie.” “Do not deceive one another.” (Leviticus, 19:11)
...thieves break into houses, bandits rob in the streets; but they do not realize that I remember all their evil deeds. Their sins engulf them; they are always before Me. (Hosea, 7:1-2)
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, "We are safe"—safe to do all these detestable things? (Jeremiah, 7:9-10)
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul... (Proverbs, 29:24)

Eating Pork Is Prohibited
And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you. (Leviticus, 11:7-8)
...who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of unclean meat. (Isaiah, 65:4)
“...those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things—they will meet their end together," declares the Lord. (Isaiah, 66:17)

Earning Interest Is Prohibited
Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. (Deuteronomy, 23:19)
... If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. (Exodus, 22:25)
Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit. (Leviticus, 25:36-37)
... who lends his money without usury... He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm, 15:5)
I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let the exacting of usury stop! (Nehemiah, 5:10)
Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right... He does not lend at usury. (Ezekiel, 18:5, 8)
Distractions Such as Astrology and Fortune-Telling Are Prohibited
…Do not practice divination or sorcery. (Leviticus, 19:26)
Isn't this the cup…uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done. (Genesis, 44:5)
Let no one be found among you who…practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. (Deuteronomy, 18:10-12)
The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so. (Deuteronomy, 18:14)
... They practiced divination and sorcery... do evil in the eyes of the Lord. (2 Kings, 17:17)
Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, "The Lord declares," though I have not spoken? 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations... therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. (Ezekiel, 13:7-9, 23)
So do not listen to...your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums or your sorcerers... (Jeremiah, 27:9)
Despite false visions concerning you and lying divinations about you... whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax. (Ezekiel, 21:29)
I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me. (Micah, 5:12-15)
... They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds... I will pour out on them the calamity they deserve. (Jeremiah, 14:14, 16)

Taking Bribes Is Prohibited
Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. (Deuteronomy, 16:19, Exodus, 23:8)
Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person. (Deuteronomy, 27:25)
He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes... this is the man who will dwell on the heights, His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (Isaiah, 33.15:16)
For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. You oppress the righteous and take bribes and you deprive the poor of justice in the courts. (Amos, 5:12)
... and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm, 15:5)
Woe to those who... acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. (Isaiah, 5:22-23)
Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. (2 Chronicles, 19:7)
Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. (Job, 36:18) Cheating Is Prohibited
…Do not deceive one another…(Leviticus, 19:11)
Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. (Psalm, 32:2)
A good man obtains favor from the Lord, but the Lord condemns a crafty man. (Proverbs, 12:2)

Murdering Is Prohibited
You shall not murder. (Exodus, 20:13, Deuteronomy, 5:17)
Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty. (Exodus, 23:7)
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, "We are safe"—safe to do all these detestable things? (Jeremiah, 7:9-10)
My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them. If they say, "Come along with us; let's lie in wait for someone's blood, let's waylay some harmless soul.” (Proverbs, 1:10-11)

Adultery Is Prohibited
You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus, 20:14, Deuteronomy, 5:18)
They will not set their thoughts to return to their God: for the spirit of fornication is in the midst of them, and they have not known the Lord. (Hosea, 5:4)
For a spirit of harlotry has led them astray, and they have played the harlot, departing from their God. (Hosea, 4:12)
Do not rejoice... do not be jubilant like the other nations. For you have been unfaithful to your God; you love the wages of a prostitute at every threshing floor. (Hosea, 9:1)
The land is full of adulterers... [they] follow an evil course. (Jeremiah, 23:10)
But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away. (Proverbs, 6:32-33)
The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, “No eye will see me,”...they make friends with the terrors of darkness. (Job, 24:15, 17)

Homosexuality Is Prohibited
If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. (Leviticus, 20:13)
Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus, 18:22)

Eating Blood Is Prohibited
This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat... any blood. (Leviticus, 3:17)
And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of...animal. (Leviticus, 7:26)
But be sure you do not eat the blood...You must not eat the blood...Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. (Deuteronomy, 12:23-25)
But you must not eat the blood. (Deuteronomy, 15:23)

Eating the Flesh of Dead Animals Is Prohibited
He must not eat anything found dead or torn by wild animals, and so become unclean through it. I am the Lord. The priests are to keep my requirements... (Leviticus, 22:8-9)
The priests must not eat anything, bird or animal, found dead or torn by wild animals. (Ezekiel 44:31)
Do not eat anything you find already dead... (Deuteronomy, 14:21)
Anyone, whether native-born or alien, who eats anything found dead or torn by wild animals...will be ceremonially unclean... (Leviticus, 17:15)

5 things

There are five things that the prophet saw said humans would often neglect:

1) Life, before death
2) Wealth, before poverty
3) Health, before sickness
4) Free time, before business
5) Youth, before old age

I just got gastric flu over the last few days of last week, and my bro offered me chocolates, I actually said “No.” padahal aku lah mata kechoklatan! hehe

Islamic response to the modern world

Adapted from Sayyid Hossein Nasr’s Young Muslim Guide to the Modern World
I’ll just share what has been summarized by the author;
The response is categorized nn to 4 parts, namely,

1. Religious, spiritual and intellectual
2. Social, economic,, political
3. Arts
4. Lifestyle

1. There needs to be a strong faith in the tenets of islam, for many modern ideologies seek to destroy faith in youths, acquaint yourselves with intellectual defense against what unbelievers purport, familiarize with the Islamic response to its criticisms. Study Christianity , Judaism, modernity from the point of view of Islam, many westerners have studied islam but not many can be said about the reverse. Be aware of the magnanimity of muslims during most of history to religious minorities, ie the golden age for Jews in the medieval times was in Islamic Spain aka Andalus, persecuted Jews found refuge in Ottoman Empire etc. Distinguish between modernism and what remains of authentic religious traditions in the West.

2. Tradition of islam or cultural tradition? Or both? Know that many of the Islamic injunctions have roots in the Christian texts , ie wearing of the veil, abstinence from pork, wine, alcohol, praying with face place on the ground. Know that the West is not an absolute yardstick in the measure of the standards of civilization, for Western civilization faced many changes in standard so frequently, hence they are never infallible or immutable. Do not feel inferior with regards to Islamic principles. Just consider the role of women in the West just 200 years agon in the 19th century. Oppose bigotry and injustice. Study Islamic economics ie muamalat, ie Islamic finance banking etc. even democracy has different standards across Western Nations.

3. Have a first hand knowledge that art in islam is never solely for art’s sake, rather it is for worship ie calligraphy and architecture, recitation of the quran, mystical poetry. Art has a certain influence to the soul, so surround yourself with Islamic elements be it at home or outside. Create an Islamic ambience.

4. Islamic lifestyle requires discipline, which ultimately involves surrender to God, where as modern lifestyle lets you do whatever you want to do, that is their perception of freedom. Be mindful of the manner one dresses, the use of language, kinds of entertainment, social relations etc

Wa minalLah at-taufiq, wa bihi nasta’in

Part 2 of the review

Ok, back to the book I was reading. An issue was raised about the sciences vs the arts both in the West and in islam, and a comparison was sort of made. In the west, there appears to be a greater gulf between science and arts than in islam. For in islam, even art is made to be a form of worship, ie Islamic calligraphy, crafting of Divine words, sophisticated geometric patterns that is meant to highlight the duality and reflective nature of everything in this world etc. Where as in West, art is more solely for arts sake, perhaps before the Renaissance, some form of western were really meant for devotion, ie oil painting of catholic themes, glass paintings on the windows of cathedrals etc. but today’s modern art seem to have lost its religious side with the emergence of things like graffiti and what not.

Then science was compared with literature, both in the Islamic world and in the west. Oh that reminded me of the days in secondary school when I used to “argue” with one school mate of mine about the importance of science over mushy things like literature. Then she would say “oh, come on, don’t start!” perhaps she was pissed off already. Well, I used to tell her that science has made even more significant contributions to humanity than literature, what’s with litereature, all mushy things beating around the bush just to convey a single point, I used to call those things ‘flowery crap’. Haha. Perhaps I still wouldn’t allow my future son or even daughter to solely pursue literature ;) eh eh, jahatnyer aku!

But urm yeah, I must admit that certain things in life wouldn’t be spiced up without literature and all those mushy things associated with it. After all, science has its limits, it can only account for phenomena up to the first cause, after which it is all Allah, Allah. And we are indeed behooved to LOVE Him and His Loved one Muhammad Saw. Now science can’t seem to explain that indeed. So if Love for Him and His messenger has the backing of a heuristic mind, then that is the climax. Scientists get high when they are marveled by something to the point that they can only say “Glory be to You!” that is also the reason why women have a high station in Islam, for are able to love better than men. They are able to take more from that Divine Love. And all these things about science and love seem to have their parallels in Allah’s Jalal and Jamal, Majesty with regards to his Exaltedness and Beauty with regards to His Love and Compassion.

So when a lover has gone crazy due to being overwhelmed, external observers can say that he is not being rational, but the experience is different for those tasting it and those who are not. Fana fillah and Fana Fir Rasul. Annihilation in God and Annihilation in Rasul.

That reminds me, about the mi’raj of Nabi Saw when he met Moses who asked him 9 times to go to His Lord to ask for reductions in the number of obligatory prayers in a day, from 50 to 45 to 40 to 35 ….to lastly 5, and even so Moses asked for more discount.

And we all know Moses, peace be upon him, tend to be kind of vocal in his prayers; he asked to see the Countenance of God, asked to be part of the nation of Muhammad, asked that his relative Harun,Aaron, to be a made prophet, asked for pharaoh to be saved, asked khidir questions when he was told to be patient and not to ask any questions etc etc. Our peace and blessings be upon them all, sallamun ‘alaa musa wa harun!

So similary, in miraj, the reason why Moses kept asking Prophet Muhammad to go up and down is that he yearns to see more and more of the Divine Light, for Muhammad saw was the only one to see His Lord’s Visage and still live, Moses fainted when God shone His Light and the mountain crumbled. So when Prophet saw meets Moses, the first person after he met God, his face was gleaming with the reflections of the Light of the Face of God. So who wouldn’t want glimpse upon glimpse upon glimpse of that Light reflecting off the Face of our Beloved Prophet saw who JUST met His Lord. Can’t blame Moses either;)

That is why ahmadis are enjoined to repeat this section of salawat ‘azhimiyah upto three times:

Wajma’ baini wa bainahuu kamma jama’ta baina ar-Ruhi wan Nafs, zhahiran wa bathinan, YAQAZATAN wa manaama, waj’alhu yaa rabbi ruuhal li dzatii, min jamii’il wujuhi fid dunya qablal aakhirati ya azhim!

“Unite him (the Prophet, may God bless and grant him peace) with me, just as Thou unites the spirit and the soul of the believer, inwardly and outwardly, awake and asleep; and make him, Lord, a solace for my soul in all life’s moments in this world before the End, O God the Great.”

-A prayer of Sidi Ahmad Ibn Idris (Q)
- Enigmatic Saint, Ahmad Ibn Idris and the Idrisi Tradition – R.S. O’Fahey

Just as a teaser, sometime in August, there will be a forum with 3 speakers comprising of Ust Ali of Masjid khadijah , Habib Hassan Al-Attas and Ust Hasbi bin Hassan on the spiritual side of Israk and Miraj, organised by ikhwan TAI. Updates soon!

يا رسول الله أدركنا.... يا رسول الله أغثنا

Sometimes I forget
To say "Prophet" before your name
Not from heedlessness
But from desirous haste
To just say your name!
Muhammad, Muhammad, Muhammad!

-Haroon, Aaron Sellars, friend of Shaykh Khalil Moore

Ya Sidi Muhammad! Ya Sidi Muhammad! Anta Laa Haa! Ya Sidi Muhammad!

;)

A fine Thursday indeed, took half day off from camp and so I got the pleasure of sitting back at home after lunch with nothing to do, and I also got to enjoy a cup of hot chamomile tea ;) Izharul was around though. Was able to catch up with some readings, very nice definitely. This book by Sayyid Hossein Nasr entitled A Young Muslim’s Guide to the Modern World offers a holistic world view for the muslim, from the very basics of Islam to the philosophy of modern Western thought. I was particularly surprised about how the book introduces Islam, almost as though it is meant for non-muslims but in a manner not insulting to people who are already muslims. It begins by expounding that Islam is a final message in a series of messages sent by God to humans via His Messengers who, of course, include Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace and salutations be upon them all. It then talks about the Quran as the Last and Final testament of God for Mankind. And then it elucidates the Islamic view about the destiny of Man, in other words, the Eschatology of Man, about how Man is being born into this world, only to tarry in it for a predetermined amount of time, only to return to the Creator in a state where Man is accountable for his personal actions done in this world.

Trust me, the intro is already captivating, the book then continues about Islamic sciences, Theology, spirituality (Tasawwuf and Tariqah) and the Muslim contribution to Modern day science. It also mentions that many of the great muslim scientists were all deeply influenced by Sufism, ie, the essence, the heart of Islam. So woe to whoever says that Sufism is a backward innovation.

In the famous hadith narrated by Umar ra about Islam, Iman and Ihsan, it was told that when Jibril came to the Prophet (saw) in the form of a man, he sat in a manner such that both his knees touches the knees of the Prophet (saw). There is a tremendous spiritual significance in this action, particularly with regards to good manners, love, respect, reverence for the teacher and the handing down of knowledge to the seeker , such that there is an intense feeling of rapport and closeness between the seeker and his teacher.

The book then talks about modern art, science, politics, economics, humanities, literature and many other stuff. It helps for muslims to know how the Western systems come about, some of which bear similar resemblances to the muslim system, others desperately want see a distinct separation of religion and state, and possibly even the abolishment of religion in totality.

One thing I find rather ironic about the Renaissance is that on the one hand, it sparked because of contributions to science made by many a great geniuses who were devout and steadfast in their belief in a Creator and yet after the influence of the Renaissance, ideologies that are anti-religious begin srouting around. They seek to change the wordview from being God-centered to Human-centered. Secular Humanism Vs Ethics and Morals divinely revealed, Modern Art vs traditional sacred art, evolutionism vs creationism etc etc

Just a point to take note, no matter how much people have championed Darwinism, it is still an ideology or a theory and not a proven scientific truth as how Newton’s Laws are scientific truths. In fact, new discoveries in science increasingly point the compass in the direction of creationism and increasingly refute Darwinism. Refer to the book the Language of God.

As much as how one might restrict the domain of influence of Darwinism to just Biology, one will be surprised how experts in other fields not related to biology also refer to the philosophy of evolutionism in their respective fields. Sociologist, economists, psychologist have all referred to evolutionism in explaining their fields of expertise, such as the behavior of humans, albeit the vagueness and the loosely-used affiliations to the theory of evolution. The question is, why do these non-biology experts ALWAYS refer to Darwinism in their respective fields? It is as though they have taken Evolution to be like a Holy Grail of all Mother Holy Grails and thus it is capable of explaining everything from biology to cosmology to philosophy to economics to politics to sociology to psychology, to practically everything! When in fact even in biology, Darwinism has its own troubles. What I read from Cambridge itself is that it is an accepted fact that all cells come from pre-existing cells, so where is your primordial soup???

Darwinism fails on three major grounds:
1. It cannot explain the origin of life
2. Fossils show that animals come to earth fully formed, there were no intermediaries, which according to Darwinism should be very common, since it asserts that animals evolve from primitive to developed.
3. The mechanisms of evolution, ie natural selection, selective adaptation, mutations and what not have no evolutionary power. Meaning to say chance and luck cannot produce biological wonders that put even present day science and technology to shame.

And something to laugh at, can you believe it that some bigoted evolutionists claim that when a caterpillar metamorphosises into a butterfly, it actually evolves! Oh evolution took place! Hooray! Tell them wake up your idea leh, the caterpillar had in its very beginning, in its DNA, the programme for metamorphosis.

And ah, there is still much more I wanna talk about in this excellent book by Sayyid Hossein Nasr, especially about science and scientism. This weekend insyaAllah.

And btw, it is already Rajab ;)

Allahumma bariklana fi rajab,wa syaban, ballighnaa ramadhan!

Against Wahhabism

Wahhabism is an ideological innovation that opposes spirituality in Islam, is extreme even against fellow muslims and advocates its adherents to go around splurting these two words freely at every other person; bid'ah and kufur

You really got to watch this clip, aired on Fox tv, Shaykh Hisyam Kabbani speaks out against the wahhabies and about how he had actually warned the US senate about the attacks that ben laden was planning and how he was ignored, accused an alarmist and threatened by wahhabies!

Shaykh Khalil Moore lecture series

ah, datang lah yer,kalau dah ader free time tu kan, tak payah nak jempot2 pon!
omg, bimbo kapa?!

Allahu akbar, nahhul muhammadiyyuuna wa lillahil hamd!

Malayu

There is this thing about the Malays that doesn’t seem to be very nice an impression on others. First and foremost, I am not a self-hating malay and my this entry is not meant to hurt anybody’s feelings, and I apologise in advance if I inadvertently do. My ustaz once said, “orang melayu memang gitu, senang nah kecik hati.” It begins all the way back in secondary school when I was the only malay in my class, kind of awkward and to add to that, the classmates seem to give me the what-is-a-malay-doing-here kind of look. And in jc, well I must say my class is jc is really racially diverse, a class of 32, of which there are 6 malays and 2 indians. So my jc class is more understanding of Malays. And we tend to make racist jokes in the spirit of humour and no offence. They tend to have a rather narrow view of the Malays and honestly speaking I don’t blame them either. They once asked me, “eh mat, u can study ah? I thought melayu only know how to lepak?” I take no offence and replied “what mat ah?! Aku melayu!” and he said “must be ur quarter indian blood lah.” Alright, jokes over. I asked myself why do they even ask such questions? And the answer is pretty obvious, we have not been performing well.

Perhaps this discussion during gp can highlight the problem:

GP topic: Marriage, civil union and partnership in the modern societal context.

“cher, how come malays got sooo many shotgun cases? They are a SMALL minority here and yet they top the charts for number of shotgun cases? MIKE! That’s a real statistical imbalance! Plus I thought they cannot fornicate? It’s called haram or something”

Oh my God, that hits the bulls eye man, how to answer? I told him, if you were to do justice to Islam, then don’t judge it based on Malays. To be truthful, Malays here have not been projecting the image of Al-Islam well. Everytime when educated people from schools with very few Malays come to talk about Malays, they mostly have negative views. I have experienced this for myself which is why I dare say such things. In BMT lagi worse, I was from the enhanced batch, mostly JC students and the only malay in my platoon of 50. When sergeants asked any smokers, they all said no and surreptitiously looked at me. Again I don’t take offence. I understand their position. And during free time, they all admitted that I am a few of the Malays they know personally. I told them wakeup ur your idea, majulah singapura is melayu, ke kanan lurus is melayu. One of my bunk mates keep pestering me about Malays, “come on ah siswand, I know you mat, like to play guitar at void deck, lepak with minahs right? How do u get to vj ah?i wanted to go vj one leh” such statements from them reflect seriously their perception of Malays, and we can’t blame them either, it’s the negative image we have portrayed and that is the reality, just look at the stats. Although I must say it is quite heartening to see Malays succeed, there have been a lot of cases lately, Alhamdulillah, a psle student who top the charts etc etc.

The thing is, we can care less about the situation of the Malays if they had not been the majority that represents Islam in this region. I sincerely believe that there is nothing inherently bad about being biologically malay nor is there anything special about being malay. Races mind nothing in Islam. God is not going to look at your skin. But it is the fact that Malays represent Islam, the beloved universal religion that we have to bother. We can’t let them see the shameful act of Malays and let them perceive similar concepts about Islam. They’ve all noticed that we drink, fornicate, gamble, do drugs, lead an extraordinarily hedonistic way of life and they will not take us as examples of success in this world. But we pray for aatina fid dunya hasanah,wa fil akhirati hasanah. We ought to abolish this hedonistic mat and minah culture! Orang kapeh tengok pun menyampah tau tak?

The thing about Malays that pains me the most is that they already can care less about Islam, yet when it comes to pursuit of success for dunia, they can never be more passive. So what is happening?! The prophet said the worst of humanity is he who does not succeed in this hereafter nor in this world. May we get out of such people the Prophet spoke about, Amin!

On the other extreme of the dichotomy, there are those ‘modern Malays’ who heck about islam and go all out for dunia. They say islam itu mundur, kuno, backwards etc. let them know without islam there is no Renaissance.

If we are Muslims, we are expected to succeed in this world and the hereafter, that is the onus upon us for having been bestowed the title ‘vicegerent of God’.

Sidi Faiz always reminded us ikhwans about how we should manifest our Islam. He said “Islam sekarang diperintah, sepatutnye islam memerintah!” islam kalau betol memerintah, dunia akan aman dan makmur. Al-islam ya’luu wa laa yu’la alaih, sidi used to emphasize. Islam tak larang kite maju dalam dunia ni, kalau nak jadi doctor, jadi doctor yang baik, kalau nak jadi dentist, sungguh2 jadi dentist yang baek.

Sekarang ni, islam banyak difitnah macam-macam, wahhabi lah, syiah lah, pengganas lah, extremis lah, islam hadhari lah macam macam, tu sumer salah tu, nak kene betolkan.

He also said, beramal dengan tariqah ahmadiah ni kan, nak kene bersunggoh2, husun awrad jangan lepaskan, hari hari mesti diamalkan. Ngaji kat rumah tu mesti hari hari. Nak kene banyak bace quran, surah2 munjiyat, waqi’ah, dukhan, sajdah, muluk, tu sumer. Solat sunat nak kene banyakkan, tahajjud, hajat, taubat, tasbih, dhuha. Banyakkan berselawat, rasullullah sayang kiter tu lebih dari mak bapak, lebih dari mak bapak. Islam tu nak kene belajar, tafsir, fiqh, aqidah tasauf, hadith semua. Jangan tau nak duduk zikir ajer tak ade ilmu. nak tunggu aper lagi ni, sekarang dah dekat dah…

While I agree with Sidi, it is surely not easy, it takes a lot to be consistent in amal all that. But it’s the effort that we should put forward.

May Allah guide us all

Adab of a guest

In his book, Mercy Oceans, page 98-99, Shaykh Nazim al Haqqani says:




"When I first met our Grandshaykh (Shaykh Abdullah Al-Faiz Ad-Daghestani), " Shaykh Nazim replied, "I was also very strict, very particular, about my food. But he told me, 'It is not good manners to be like that. When you are a guest, you must not ask, 'Is this food clean?' No! You must give your host the benefit of the doubt. When you know that the food is pork, don't eat it, but say instead, 'I am a vegetarian,' or something like this. You must have good manners towards everybody. If you are in doubt as to whether meat (assuming that it is not pork) is halal or not, you may say, three times, 'Shahada,' and, seventy times, 'astaghfirullah.' Then, as you eat, and you say, 'Bismillah,' Allah Almighty will make that food clean for you, in the time it takes for you to raise it from your plate and put it in your mouth!




"When you are buying meat and you think that it has come in contact with pork, or utensils that have been used to handle and prepare pork, you may wash it, and repeat the formula we just said. If you can obtain Halal (or Kosher) meat, of course it is best. But, when you are somebody's guest, don't ask! Even if it is known to you that they usually cook with lard, you must assume that, this time, for you, they cleaned their pots and pans and didn't use it. Only if you are certain that pork or pork products were used may you refrain from eating."







just something random, perhaps anyone who has watched congkak might have noticed a framed picture of a shaykh hanging on the wall of the kampong house towards the end of the movie when the possessed girl was going through exorcism. i have a strong suspect that it is the picture of Shaykh Abdullah Al-Faiz Ad-Daghestani

Shaykh Abdullah al-Faiz Ad-Daghestani, 38th in the Naqshbandi Haqqani silsilah

wa laa tajassasu, jangan sepai-menyepai

the gravity of arrogance and ostentation can never be overemphasized, they are poisons that kill the heart.

this clip is a humourous way of highlighting the problem rather prevalent among us. enjoy,

may God guide us all to righteousness and save us from hypocrisy, ameen

Tuan

He is strict but benign, tegas tapi lembut. He kisses the foreheads of children who come to kiss his hand. He is of average height, tough in appearance and walks fast for his old age. He seldom speaks but do joke and laugh. He is humble; he lowers his gaze when he speaks, be it when addressing a crowd or a single person. When he leads zikr, he is sincere in his recitation. And when he implores his Lord the Great, standing, his sincerity and his attraction permeates the immediate atmosphere, such that being in that physical presence alone is enough to let one experience ecstasy and let tears flow involuntarily.

The pursuant mureeds of his stand when he enters and whenever they greet him with the traditional salam, they bend down slightly, take his hand, kiss it, and move backwards before turning to move off, so as not to show him their backs.

Just gotta Lurve Chemistry baby!

Chemistry, Alchemy and Al-Islam;

The terms alchemy and chemistry in the English language refer today to two distinct concepts but they derive originally from the same single word which entered into Latin from Arabic, the word being al-kimiya.

Alchemy is not only a prechemistry. It was at once a science of the cosmos, a science of the soul and a science of the materials related also to the field of medicine. It made use of minerals and studied them but mostly in the light of the symbolic significance of minerals and their relationship to the inner states of the soul.

The Sufi Imam Ghazali was known as an alchemist precisely because of a book he wrote, kimiya as-sa’adah, The Alchemy of Eternal Bliss.

On a side note, a very good documentary on the manaqib (biography) of Imam Ghazali is now available , the dvd entitled “Al-Ghazali: the Alchemist of Happiness”.

Al-Ghazali: the Alchemist of Happiness

It was from the material aspects of alchemy that chemistry was gradually born. The first great Islamic alchemist lived very early in the history of Islam and this art reached its peak with him. This figure whose name became identified with alchemy was Abu Musa Jābir ibn Hayyān (Latin: Geber), who lived in the second Islamic century, considered by many to be the father of chemistry. He is credited with the invention of many types of now-basic chemical laboratory equipment, and with the discovery and description of many now-commonplace chemical substances and processes – such as the hydrochloric and nitric acids, distillation, and crystallisation – that have become the foundation of today's chemistry and chemical engineering.

Jabir Ibn Hayyan, Geber, artist impression

Jabir also invented the aqua regia, “royal water” although it is a strong acid mixture of HNO3 and HCl that can dissolve gold and platinum. This of course gained much popularity for precisely its ability to dissolve gold thereby extracting it.

Au (s) + 3 NO3- (aq) + 6 H+ (aq) → Au3+ (aq) + 3 NO2 (g) + 3 H2O (l) and
Au3+ (aq) + 4 Cl- (aq) → AuCl4- (aq).

He was a student of the celebrated Imam Ja’afar As-Sadiq, the great grandson of the Holy Prophet saw. Jabir wrote a large number of works dealing with many different sciences but especially alchemy and established this discipline once and for all within the Islamic world, thereby becoming the chief authority in the subject throughout the entire history of Islam.

It was the second major figure in the field of alchemy, Muhammad Ibn Zakariya al-Razi, the famous physician and alchemist who lived in the third Islamic century, who on the basis of Jabir’s work gradually created chemistry as distinct from alchemy. Al-Razi formulated a science of substances without the inner, symbolic and spiritual significance which alchemy always emphasized. As a result, gradually, chemistry was born without alchemy ever having died.

Many of the instruments used in chemical laboratories even to this day were developed by Muslim alchemists, some of these instruments such as alembic still bear Arabic names.

Ever wondered where the "al" in alcohol, alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aliphatic all come from???

The West had no alchemy before Arabic texts were translated into Latin in the eleventh century AC and therefore the whole of Western alchemy and chemistry are based upon the Islamic tradition which developed early with Jabir and which continued down the centuries and practically until today.

There are many important later alchemists such as al-‘Iraqi, al-Majriti and al-Jaldaki who are well known but also many later alchemists whose writings have not as yet been fully studied. In any case, Islamic alchemy is an important field for the understanding of both certain aspects of Islamic science and a certain kind of spiritual psychology or science of the soul. Alchemy is a way of relating the world of nature to the divine creative forces that govern nature and operate within it.

By the way, scholars and shaykhs do hold degrees in chemistry, Shaykh Hisyam Kabbani has a bachelor in chemistry from the American University of Beirut.

We must love chemistry, and because of chemistry we love ;)

Verily, the love of the lover burns. Qasidah Burdah (Poem of the Scarf)

Chapter One

Concerning the love of Sayyidina Muhammad ‘Alaihi Afdhala Shalatu WasSalam

In this chapter Imam Busairi R.A. speaks of his love for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. He tries to conceal this love and who his beloved is . For this reason he has not mentioned the name of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, directly in the whole chapter. By mentioning places and things close to Madinah, he alludes to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam. Due to this excessive love and devotion for Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, he has become completely restless, thus exposing this love to everyone.

1. Is it because of your remembrance of the neighbours of Dhi-salam.

Dhi-salam is a place between Mecca and Madinah, rather closer to Madinah. Imam Busairi mentions Dhi-Salam as it reminds him of the migration of the Prophet saw, it reminds him of the beginning of Muhammad’s Prophethood.

2. That tears mixed with blood are flowing (from your eyes).

These tears mixed with blood are due to his overwhelming love for the Prophet saw

3. Or is it because of the breeze blowing from Kaazimah.

Here Imam Busairi questions the reasons for the happenings in line 2. Kaazimah is a village in Madinah and as the breeze reaches Imam Busairi, his heart turns toward his Beloved. Imam Busairi has not yet revealed who his Beloved is, but by mentioning Mecca and then Kaazimah in Madinah, he alludes to the resting place of his Beloved.

4. Or it is the lightning struck in the darkness of the night Idam

Idam is a mountain in Madinah. As Imam Busairi sees the lightning he wonders if it is the same lightning that struck on Idam. Even the ightning reminds his troubled heart of his Beloved. After mentioning Dhi-salam, kaazimah and Idam it becomes completely clear who his Beloved is, though Imam Busairi is actually trying to conceal the name of his Beloved.

5. What has happened to your eyes, (the more) you tell them to stop, the more they continue flowing.

Due to immense love for the Prophet and an intense feeling of separation from the Beloved, tears continue to flow from Imam Busairi’s eyes. As every true lover knows, the more one tries to stop crying, the more thoughts of the Beloved bring tears to the eyes.

6. What is the matter with your heart, (the more) you tell it to come to its senses, (the more it is distracted).

Here Imam Busairi asks his ailing heart, why is it that when i ask you to come under control, the more you long for the Beloved and become grieved by its separation.

7. Does the lover think that his love can be concealed.

Now Imam Busairi shows the reason for his tears and why his heart is ailing.

8. While his eyes are shedding tears and his heart is glowing.

Even though Imam Busairi had tried to keep his love a secret, his tears and troubled heart exposed his love to everyone.

9. Had it not been for the love, you would not have shed tears at the ruins (of your beloved).

Imam Busairi says, had it not been for love, such tears would not have flowed. Upon seeing something of the beloved (‘ruins’ (of your beloved)), tears exposing his love begin to flow.

10. Nor would you become restless at the remembrance of the cypress (tree) the high mountain.

Love causes sleeplessness to Imam Busairi at the recollection of the cypress on a high mountain, a symbol of love. That cypress reminds Imam Busairi of the place his Beloved lived.

11. How do you deny love after the testimony.

Although Imam Busairi tries to conceal his love, yet evidences show otherwise, exposing his love.

12. Borne against you by (such) reliable witnesses as your tears and your illness.

The evidences spoken in the previous line are Imam Busairi’s tears and ailing heart. They constitute such trustworthy witness that no doubt can be placed on Imam Busairi being in love with the Beloved. Due to tears and grief, misery and sleeplessness, Imam Busairi has become ill.

13. Love has ingrained two lines of fear, and withered your face.

The effect of Imam Busairi’s love caused two streaks to appear on his cheeks due to excessive tears and his face become feeble and withered.

14. On your cheeks like yellow rose and the reddish tree.

Imam Busairi’s cheeks are compared to a yellow rose because of its paleness. Due to excessive tears, the lines on his cheeks are compared to the reddish colour of a tree.

15. Yes! Thoughts of the beloved came to me at night and kept me awake.

Imam Busairi says that the thoughts of his Beloved kept him awake at night.
A point to note: because of an immense love for the Prophet, many of his true lovers are blessed with seeing his noble countenance in a dream.

16. And love transforms pleasure into pain.

When a person is in love or in grief due to love, he no longer finds enjoyment in the things he used to enjoy before.

17. you who reproach me, regarding my love, excuse me.

Imam Busairi close ones reproached him on his love and tries to explain to him that he is harming himself and will become seriously ill, but Imam Busairi asks to be excused because he is helpless and cannot control the love in his heart.

18. From me to you if you do justice, you would not reproach me.

Imam Busairi says to his reproachers that you know i am hepless in this love, and if you were just, you would not reprimand me but rather symathise with me.

19. My state (of love) has been expressed to you, (now) my secret is no longer concealed.

Imam Busairi admits his love and is so grief stricken that his love no longer remains a secret.

20. From those who malign (me), nor is there (something to) check my agony.
This line continues from the previous in that Imam Busairi’s secret love is no longer hidden from those who malign him and that there is nothing to stop the pain of his love.

21. You have sincerely advised me , I did not heed it.
Imam Busairi refers to his reproachers as people who sincerey try to help him but he remained heedless of their advice.

22. For verily a lover is deaf to those who advise him.

Imam Busairi explains why he did not heed the sincere advice. He admits that love overwhelms him, he no longer has control over his emotions. Love has made him deaf to everything else.

23. I regarded with suspicion the advice of the elders in reproaching me.

Due to being lost in love, Imam Busairi regarded with distrust the advice of people who claim to have experienced love before.

24. (Wisdom) in the advice of the elders is above suspicion.